A Sensational Transfer Window for the Books

After many requests, a soccer article is finally debuting on the Cloud Zero Sports website. In this article, I will be reviewing this past summer’s sensational transfer window and rating which team had the best window

1. Paris Saint German(PSG)

Wow, that’s the only word that can describe what PSG did this past summer. PSG was able to secure some of the most marquee players in Europe. To open the transfer window, PSG acquired Georgino Wijnaldum from Liverpool. This isn’t a flashy transfer, but Wijnaldum is a player who knows what it takes to win. Following the transfer of Wijnaldum, PSG acquired Achraf Hakimi from the reigning Serie A champions, Inter Milan, to replace the departing Alessandro Florenzi. Much like Wijnaldum, Hakimi isn’t a flashy transfer but is a good move for the future. Hakimi is only 22 and is getting better by the year. Following the signing of Hakimi, PSG was able to secure a former world cup winner and four-time champions league winner Sergio Ramos on a free transfer to help solidify their defense. After signing Ramos, PSG acquired Gianluigi Donnaruma, this year’s Euro cup winner and player of the tournament. Finally, the transfer that caused PSG to have the best transfer window, was Lionel Messi. Messi is arguably the G.O.A.T of soccer, and with PSG acquiring him on a free transfer, I expect them to do big things this season.

Overall Assessment: This season, I expect PSG to win their domestic cup as well as finally win the Champions League. Adding someone who is well experienced in the Champions League, like Messi, is something they have needed for years.

2. Manchester United

SIUUUUUU! After 12 long years of being away, Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United. This move by United was something no one expected going into the transfer window, but boy did it make everyone happy. Bringing Ronaldo back to United was like LeBron returning to the Cavaliers. While Ronaldo is nearing the end of his career, I do expect him to play at a high level, especially since he was able to score 81 goals in the past three seasons for Juventus. Besides Ronaldo, Manchester United still had a great transfer window with the signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. Jadon Sancho was a big signing for United for numerous reasons. One reason is that Manchester United has been trying to sign Jadon Sancho for the past three transfer windows. Another reason this was a big signing was due to their need for a proper right-winger. Finally, the signing of Raphael Varane was a key signing for United, because in the past couple of seasons their center-backs have been a little lackluster. The addition of Varane changes everything. It adds an experienced center-back and consistent player to United’s defense.

Overall Assessment: I think this year is Manchester United’s best chance to end their 8 season drought and win the Premier League. In the past two seasons, they have finished in the top 3 with a mediocre defense and an inconsistent attack, but with the additions they made this summer I expect a different outcome this season.

3. Chelsea

Speaking of reunions, Chelsea joined Manchester United’s trend and brought back Romelu Lukaku. This was a signing that Chelsea desperately needed to make heading into the new season, especially after the rubbish signing of Timo Werner. I expect Lukaku to do big things for the reigning Champions League winners since he scored 24 goals for Inter last season. After Lukaku, Chelsea was able to secure Saúl Ñíguez from Atletico Madrid, on loan, within the final hours of the transfer window. This was a smart transfer for Chelsea because their midfield locker room lacks consistent players, and with the addition of Saúl they can expect a player who’s consistently on the ball. After these two transfers, Chelsea didn’t do much buying but rather more selling of players. During this window Chelsea offloaded 21 players and obtained 134 million dollars.

Overall Assessment: While the acquisitions Chelsea made are very solid, I don’t expect big things from them. Chelsea are currently the reigning Champions League winners, but with how many teams improved their teams this summer, I just can’t see them making another run. If anything I expect to see Chelsea make a major name for themselves as potential Premier League Champions.

4. Barcelona

This summer has been quite upsetting for both Barcelona and their supporters. Losing Lionel Messi was something no one expected, and to top that, Antoine Griezmann was loaned out. Fortunately enough for Barcelona, they were still able to bring top players in to replace Messi and Griezmann. During this summer Barcelona was able to bring in Memphis Depay from Lyon on a free transfer, as well as Sergio Aguero from Manchester City on a free transfer. While both these players aren’t of Messi’s caliber, they are some of the marquee players in Europe. Besides Aguero and Depay, Barcelona were only able to acquire two more key players in this transfer window. They were able to acquire the young defender out of Manchester City, Eric Garcí, as well as Luuk de Jong from Sevilla. I don’t expect too much out of these two players since Garcia is still developing and Jong is way past his prime.

Overall Assessment: Barcelona did have a heartbreaking summer, but they were able to bounce back. I expect them to still contend in La Liga, but to take a step back in Champions League. Barcelona lost too much and I just can’t see them playing at the same caliber they have been for the past 17 seasons.

5. Real Madrid

It’s not a transfer window if Real Madrid isn’t active in some shape or form. While Real Madrid didn’t have the greatest of all transfer windows, it was still arguably a decent window for them. For starters, Real Madrid brought back a 20 time champion and one of their former managers, Carlo Ancelotti. Following the reunion with Ancelotti, Real Madrid was able to replace the departing Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane with the former Bayern Munich man, David Alaba. While losing Ramos is heartbreaking, I like the Alaba transfer. Alaba is still relatively young and matches the quick defense of Real Madrid. After Alaba, Real Madrid went out and signed Eduardo Camavinga from Stade Rennais to replace the departing Martin Ødegard. Camavinga is regarded as one the top “wonder kids” in soccer right now. With only being 18, Camavinga has so much time to learn and improve.

Overall Assessment: While Real Madrid did lose some key players like Varane and Ramos, they were still able to have a successful transfer window, and l expect them to contend for their domestic title as well as the Champions League. They may not have the greatest team in all of Europe, but at the end of the day it’s still Real Madrid.